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So
how do they get my ID?
- Removing mail
from your mailbox or fraudulently redirecting your mail.
- Stealing it from wallets, purses,
mail, vehicle, computer, and websites you've visited or e-mails
you've sent.
- Retrieving info from your garbage or recycling bin by "dumpster
diving";
- Posing as a creditor, landlord or employer to get a copy of your credit
report.
- Tampering with automated banking machines and point of sale
terminals to capture your debit or credit card number
and PIN.
- Searching public sources, such as newspapers (obituaries), telephone
books, and records open to the public (professional certifications).
- Buying the info as the result of computer breaches or hacking personal
and/or financial details from your own computer and from other sources
where it is stored.
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So how do I protect
myself?
On-Line
Many social sites and free mail accounts ask for too much unnecessary
personal information. They do this to create a profile of you and
your friends, likes, dislikes, advertising accessed, etc. Ever
wonder where those mysterious emails come from or that phone call
to sell you vacation- mortgage, etc.
Or worse, if you provide details
such as name- city- phone#, a mini profile starts to evolve for
ID predators. Keep the details of your location, revealing pictures
and preferences to a minimum.
For example examine your Facebook's
"Limited Profile Setting"- contact, personal, education- work- pictures-
video.
Can you start to draw a profile of yourself fairly easily? Don't
forget, your friends or buddies
do not need to know your address & phone unless you plan to invite
them over for dinner.
Opening up your contact info to friends-
friends of friends becomes friends of friends of friends very quickly-
resulting in loosing control of your personal details & identity. These
are prime harvesting grounds for ID thieves.
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At Home
Store any
cards and documents containing personal information in secure places.
It does not hurt to hide them in separate locations.
Shred or destroy them when they expire.
Review the balances on your statements from banks, credit cards and companies
regularly and report discrepancies right away.
Do not respond to
emails from financial institutions or government asking for personal
ID. This is not their normal course of action. Even on the phone, ask
to call them back & check the number.
If an offer seems
to good to be true- it is. For example, software that retails for $500
is not offered from a legitimate source for $10. Plus, the seller
now has your ID to make more money by using it or selling it to others.
Traveling
Store them in a safe place- hotel safe.
Report stolen items immediately to government agencies & request a replacement.
Most times lost ID will be cancelled so no one else can use it.
Do not carry them or a photocopy in your wallet or purse.
Be aware that public Internet
connections have very limited protection.
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